Second hepatic resection for metastatic colorectal cancer

We report a case where repeat hepatic resection was successfully performed 3 years after extended right hepatic lobectomy for metastatic colorectal cancer. The patient remains well and disease free 2.5 years after the second hepatic resection.     

The impact of hepatic resection on metastatic colorectal cancer

Although liver resection is the accepted treatment for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer to the liver, there remains some controversy as to the criteria for patient selection and its impact on the recurrent disease following the operation. One hundred and sixteen patients underwent liver resection for metastaic colorectal carcinoma over the last 23 years at our institution. The actual survival was 50.5% at 5 years, and 38.6% at 10 years, excluding the 30-day operative mortality rate of 1.7%. Positive hepatic lymph nodes, extrahepatic disease, number of tumors (4 or more), and bilobar distribution of the diseases were strongly associated with poor outcome. These prognostic factors were also documented as the major prognostic determinants by 21 consecutive articles we reviewed. Among 52 (45.6%) patients with hepatic recurrence, patients who were acceptable surgical risks and had no extrahepatic diseases or a limited number (one or two) of lung metastasis were candidates for the repeat resection. Consequently, 31 patients underwent repeated hepatic resection. Their survival rate was 53.9% at 3 years and 32.3% at 5 years, with no mortality. This outcome is markedly better than that of untreated patients with an estimated survival of 3 to 24 months. Thus, an aggressive approach to surgical treatment is feasible with low risk and the potentially curative strategy even for recurrent hepatic metastases, providing the opportunity to achieve 5 year survival.     

Pulmonary resection for metastatic colorectal cancer

We reviewed the clinical courses of 25 patients who underwent pulmonary resection for metastatic lesions from colorectal cancer between January 1991 and December 2001. The cumulative survivals at 3 and 5 years were 72% and 63%, respectively. Sex, site of the primary tumor, presence of extrapulmonary metastases, disease-free interval, location of pulmonary metastases (PM), number of PM, size of PM, mode of operation, pre-thoracotomy serum carcinoembryonic antigen level, and post-thoracotomy chemotherapy were not found to be statistically significant prognostic factors. Age (70 years < or =) was a predictor of a shorter survival duration by univariate analysis (p = 0.02). Recurrence was observed in 19 patients, 11 of which were lung recurrences. Eight patients underwent repeated pulmonary resection. The median survival in these 8 patients was 23 months after second pulmonary operation. Surgical treatment for pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer in selected patients might improve prognosis.     

Indication of hepatic resection for metastatic liver tumors from gastric cancer

To clarify the benefit and indication of resection for metastatic liver tumors from gastric cancer, we reviewed the therapeutic outcomes at the Niigata University Medical Hospital and at a referred institution. From January 1982 to April 2004, thirty-nine patients with synchronous and 40 with metachronous liver metastases from gastric cancer had been treated. In synchronous cases, forty percent of the patients had many metastatic tumors in bilateral hepatic lobes and the majority of them had advanced gastric cancer with serosal invasion and widely spread of lymphatic metastases. On the other hand, over 70% of metachronous patients had unilobar or scattered bilobar metastases and only 20% of them accompanied other types of metastases. A survival analysis showed that the prognoses of patients undergoing hepatic resection were statistically better than other treatments in both synchronous and metachronous cases. And there was no evidence for the benefit of palliative gastrectomy. So we conclude that surgical treatment for hepatic metastases from gastric cancer is a beneficial option if all the lesions including the primary and lymphatic ones can be eradicated in limited candidates of synchronous cases and in more candidates of metachronous cases, especially unilobar and a few scattered bilobar metastases.     

Survival after hepatic resection in metastatic colorectal cancer: a population-based study

BACKGROUND: Hepatectomy is the standard of care for patients with colorectal cancer who have isolated hepatic metastases; however, the long-term survival benefits of hepatectomy in this population have not been characterized well outside of case series. For the current study, a population-based database was used to compare the survival of patients with liver metastases from colorectal cancer who did and did not undergo hepatectomy. METHODS: Patients aged >or=65 years with incident colorectal cancer who were diagnosed from 1991 to 2001 were identified from the linked Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database. Liver metastasis diagnoses, colorectal resections, and hepatectomies were identified from hospital, outpatient, and physician-supplier claims. Patients who did not undergo colorectal resection were excluded. Five-year survival from the time of cancer diagnosis was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate survival. RESULTS: Among 13,599 patients who were identified with incident colorectal cancer and liver metastases, 7673 patients (56.4%) presented with stage IV disease, and the remaining patients presented with earlier stage disease and developed subsequent metastases. Only 833 patients (6.1%) in the cohort underwent hepatic resection, and their 30-day mortality rate was 4.3%. The 5-year survival was 32.8% among patients who underwent hepatic resection, compared with 10.5% among patients who did not undergo hepatic resection (P < .0001), and better survival was observed in the subset of patients who presented initially with disease in stages I through III. In a Cox model, which was controlled for age, sex, race, comorbidities, and stage at presentation, lack of hepatic resection was associated with a 2.78-fold increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: Although hepatectomy rates among patients with colorectal cancer were low, hepatic resection was associated with improved survival.     

Adjuvant hepatic arterial infusion after resection of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer

We examined retrospectively the efficacy of hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) chemotherapy comparing systemic treatment as adjuvant therapy after the curative resection of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer. Seventeen cases of HAI and 8 of the systemic treatment were enrolled in this study. We compared the pattern of recurrent sites and the overall survival rate between the two groups. There was no difference in a patients' background. Intrahepatic recurrence rate was lower and extrahepatic recurrence rate was higher in the HAI group, but not significant. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rate was 94, 72, and 49% in the HAI group and 100, 100, and 50% in the systemic treatment group (p = 0.29), respectively. HAI chemotherapy did not contribute to the elongation of survival time in comparison with systemic treatment. This study indicates that there is no efficacy of HAI alone after the resection of hepatic metastasis from colorectal cancer and that there is need to use systemic chemotherapy together with HAI to prevent an extrahepatic recurrence.     

Role of FDG-PET staging in selecting the optimum patient for hepatic resection of metastatic colorectal cancer

Staging by FDG-PET of patients who are candidates for surgical treatment of colorectal metastases is an essential part of management of this problem. FDG-PET is highly sensitive and specific for intrahepatic colorectal tumors and the most sensitive test for extrahepatic tumors. FDG-PET alters management in 25% of patients, reducing futile laparotomies and hepatectomies.     

New strategy in hepatic metastatic colorectal cancer: tomotherapy and capecitabine followed by hepatic surgical resection

The majority of patients who develop liver metastases in metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) has often unresectable disease. Several new methods of nonsurgical ablation have been tested with variable success. Helical tomotherapy (HT), such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) or stereotactic body radiotherapy therapy, is a recent radiation therapy technique which can provide simultaneous and precise targeting of multiple lesions, while sparing normal tissues. We retrospectively assess the feasibility and the tolerance of IMRT with capecitabine followed by hepatic surgery in mCRC patients. This original observation suggests that HT could be safely integrated in the multidisciplinary management of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer as an alternative to surgery or other local ablation therapies.     

Significance of liver resection for multiple hepatic metastases from colorectal cancer]

In colorectal cancer, liver metastasis is the most common and most important prognostic factor. To elucidate the significance of liver resection, we examined 72 cases (H2: 29 cases, H3: 43 cases). The 3-year survival rate for H2 and H3 patients was 71.5% and 4.5%, respectively. The liver resection rate in H2 and H3 patients was 58.6% (17/29) and 16.3% (7/43), respectively. In H2 patients the 3-year survival rate of those with liver resection and non-resection was 71.3% and 9.2%, respectively (p < 0.001). However, in H3 patients the 3-year survival rate in liver resection and non-resection patients was 80.0% and 43.9%, respectively (not significant). Many therapies, such as liver resection, hepatic arterial infusion, and systemic chemotherapy, were attempted for patients with hepatic metastases. Our data show that liver resection can prolong the survival of H2 patients only. On the other hand, hepatic arterial infusion therapy prolongs the survival of H3 patients only. Systemic chemotherapy does not prolong the survival of either H2 or H3 patients.     

Preoperative imaging for hepatic resection of colorectal cancer metastasis

Despite recent advances in chemotherapeutic agents, the prognosis for metastatic colon cancer remains poor. Over the past two decades, hepatic metastasectomy has emerged as a promising technique for improving survival in patients with metastatic colon cancer and in some cases providing long-term cure. To maximize safety and efficacy of metastasectomy, appropriate pre-operative imaging is needed. Advancements in computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) have led to improved detection of occult lesions and better definition of surgical anatomy. While CT, PET and MRI have a comparable sensitivity for detection of large liver metastases, MRI excels at detection of subcentimeter liver metastases compared to CT and FDG-PET, especially with the combination of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and hepatocyte-specific contrast agents. CT may be useful as a screening modality or in preoperative planning such as volumetric estimation of the remnant liver size or in defining preoperative arterial anatomy for hepatic artery infusion pump placement. While technologic advancements have led to unprecedented image quality and clarity, this does not replace the need for a dedicated, competent radiologist with experience in hepatic imaging.Key Words: Colorectal metastases, preoperative imaging, hepatic artery infusion pump, volumetrics, hepatic resection     

Outcomes of laparoscopic hepatic resection for colorectal cancer metastases

The role of laparoscopic liver resection for cancer remains controversial. This review summarizes the expanding literature on outcomes of minimally invasive hepatic resection for colorectal cancer liver metastases. Four recent studies (in more than 300 patients) show 5-year overall-survival rates of 46-64%, which are comparable to results in modern open hepatic resection series. The advantages of laparoscopic liver resection include smaller incisions, less pain, less narcotic requirements, and shorter length of stay.     

Indication and meaning of hepatic resection for metastatic liver tumors from gastric cancer

To clarify the efficacy and indication of hepatectomy in gastric cancer metastasis to the liver, we studied 26 liver metastases patients undergoing hepatectomy. The cumulative 5-year survival rations were 25.3%. A survival analysis showed that prognoses of patients n(-) or T2 group were statistically better than other group. Three patients underwent a repeat liver resection from gastric metastasis and survived for about thirty months. There was an example using chemotherapy which made a liver tumor removal operation possible to the patient who had multiple liver metastases. In conclusion, liver resection is a beneficial option and multimodal therapy including a repeat liver resection and systemic chemotherapy, may be important for improving the prognosis of patients with liver metastases from gastric cancer.     

Survival after hepatic resection of colorectal cancer metastases

BACKGROUND:

Most estimates of short‐ and long‐term survival after hepatic resection of colorectal cancer metastases are derived from surgical case series. For the current report, the authors used Medicare data to investigate operative mortality and long‐term survival in a national sample and examined the factors associated with survival.

METHODS:

Data were analyzed from Medicare enrollees (age ≥65 years) who were admitted to hospital between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2004 with a primary diagnosis of colorectal cancer with resection. The sample was restricted to patients who subsequently underwent hepatic resection for liver metastases. The Medicare Denominator File was used to determine operative mortality and long‐term survival and the factors that were associated with those outcomes.

RESULTS:

Of the 306,061 Medicare beneficiaries who were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, 3957 patients were identified who underwent hepatic resection for liver metastases. The crude 30‐day and 90‐day mortality rates were 4% and 8.2%, respectively, and the 5‐year survival rate was 25.5%. Advancing age (hazards ratio [HR], 1.83; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.32‐2.53 for age ≥80 years vs ages 65‐69 years), comorbid disease (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.06‐1.85 for Charlson ≥5 vs Charlson 0), and synchronous colon/hepatic resection (HR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.89‐3.20 for synchronous vs metachronous resection) were associated with worse 90‐day mortality. Similarly, long‐term mortality was associated with age (HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.18‐1.56), comorbid disease (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.36‐1.69), and synchronous colon/hepatic resection (HR, 1.37; 95% CI, 1.24‐1.51 for synchronous vs metachronous resection).

CONCLUSIONS:

In this national study, short‐ and long‐term survival was worse than that reported in surgical case series. Subgroups at high risk for worse outcomes include the extreme elderly and those undergoing synchronous colon and hepatic resection. Cancer 2009. © 2009 American Cancer Society.     

Use of clinical score to stage and predict outcome of hepatic resection of metastatic colorectal cancer

All metastatic colorectal cancer cases are classified as stage IV by AJCC staging, yet cases differ widely as to prognosis. Criteria are needed to select patients for surgery, for adjuvant therapy, and for clinical trials. In this paper we review the various prognostic scoring systems proposed, including the most widely used clinical risk score. Validation and practical uses of these scoring systems are also discussed.     

FOLFOX as adjuvant chemotherapy after curative resection of distant metastatic lesions in patients with colorectal cancer

We investigated the effectiveness of prophylactic FOLFOX after curative resection of synchronous metastases in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Clinicopathological information including postoperative chemotherapy, such as a therapeutic regimen, relapse-free survival (RFS), site of recurrence, etc., was retrospectively analyzed in 116 CRC patients with synchronous distant metastases, and 63 patients with metachronous metastases who had received surgery in our hospital between 2000 and 2009. Fifty-three patients (84%) out of 63 without adjuvant chemotherapy, and 38 (83%) out of 46 patients that received oral or intravenous 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (alone or with leucovorin (LV)or isovorin) developed recurrent tumor(s) afterwards. The median RFSs were 119 and 281 days, respectively. By contrast, a single patient among 6 who underwent FOLFOX (up to 12 therapeutic courses) showed recurrence 476 days after surgery. The RFS of the FOLFOX was significantly higher than that of the 5-FU (+LV) or surgery alone (p=0. 03, p=0. 007, respectively). In conclusion, the FOLFOX regimen is more beneficial for CRC patients with synchronous metastasis as adjuvant chemotherapy than 5-FU (+LV) or other followup strategies.     

Liver resection for metastatic colorectal cancer in the presence of extrahepatic disease

Early studies of liver resection for colorectal cancer metastases identified patients with concomitant extrahepatic disease as a group with poor outcomes. These studies concluded that the presence of extrahepatic disease should be a contraindication to resection. This contraindication has more recently been challenged. In this paper, we review the published work on metastatic colorectal cancer, pertaining to the role of surgery in patients with liver metastases and concomitant extrahepatic disease. 5-year survival after resection is worse in patients with extrahepatic disease than in patients with liver-only disease, but is similar to that seen in patients who underwent resection in the era before the use of modern chemotherapy. Recurrence occurs in most patients. There is a role for surgery in highly selected patients with single sites of extrahepatic disease, although expectations should be different than those of patients with liver-only metastases. Further studies are necessary to define the patient group best suited for resection of hepatic metastases with extrahepatic disease.